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Head-to-head · Plagiarism Checkers

Crossref Similarity Check vs iThenticate

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Crossref Similarity Check #2 in Plagiarism Checkers 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Crossref
iThenticate #3 in Plagiarism Checkers 9.0/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit iThenticate

Crossref Similarity Check leads on 0 checks, iThenticate on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCrossref Similarity Check · 9.2/10
  • Most featuresiThenticate · 4 of 4

Crossref Similarity Check scores higher on our rubric for plagiarism checkers: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

Crossref Similarity Check is the better fit for publishers and journals checking manuscripts. iThenticate is the better fit for researchers and publishers needing private-repository checks.

  • Crossref Similarity Check fits best

    Publishers and journals checking manuscripts

  • iThenticate fits best

    Researchers and publishers needing private-repository checks

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Crossref Similarity Check 9.2/10 Visit ↗ iThenticate 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in Plagiarism Checkers #3 in Plagiarism Checkers
Best for Publishers and journals checking manuscripts Researchers and publishers needing private-repository checks
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — $125 one-time
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 5 integrations 3 integrations
Features Crossref Similarity Check 3/4 · iThenticate 4/4
Web source matching ✓ ✓
Academic source matching ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
LMS integration Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported languages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Word limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Report export formats PDF PDF
Our review
Pros
  • Compares manuscripts with academic content and current or archived web pages
  • Detailed reports include scores, highlighted matches, filters, and PDF export
  • API access supports manuscript submission systems, including OJS
  • Checks internet, publication, Crossref, submitted-work, and private-repository content
  • Provides multiple report views, highlighted matches, and PDF downloads
  • Supports API, LTI, and SSO integrations for organizational accounts
Cons
  • Available only to eligible Crossref members
  • Annual service fee is required
  • First 100 documents are limited to 25,000 words each
  • No free plan is available
  • The lowest-priced option costs $125 one time
  • Organization pricing is customized rather than published
Our verdict

Crossref Similarity Check is a manuscript-screening service for Crossref members, powered by Turnitin’s iThenticate software. Publishers and editors can upload manuscripts or submit them through a manuscript submission system using an API.…

Read the review →

iThenticate is a web-based similarity-checking product for scholarly publishers, research departments, institutions, authors, and researchers. It compares submitted manuscripts and other documents with internet pages, archived web content,…

Read the review →
  1. Crossref Similarity CheckPlagiarism Checkers 9.2Paid
  2. iThenticatePlagiarism Checkers 9.0Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Crossref Similarity Check — where it wins

    • Compares manuscripts with academic content and current or archived web pages
    • Detailed reports include scores, highlighted matches, filters, and PDF export
    • API access supports manuscript submission systems, including OJS

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only to eligible Crossref members
    • Annual service fee is required
    • First 100 documents are limited to 25,000 words each

  • iThenticate — where it wins

    • Checks internet, publication, Crossref, submitted-work, and private-repository content
    • Provides multiple report views, highlighted matches, and PDF downloads
    • Supports API, LTI, and SSO integrations for organizational accounts

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • The lowest-priced option costs $125 one time
    • Organization pricing is customized rather than published

More comparisons

All plagiarism checkers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update